Are you tired of spending a fortune on shop-bought coffee? If so, an espresso machine could be your ticket to a more convenient coffee experience. With this machine at home, you're in control. You can save time and money and, most importantly, customize your coffee just how you like it. From strength and flavor to frothiness, you can indulge in a delicious espresso whenever you want.
Some of the best espresso machines in the market have been handpicked, tested, and compiled into this list to open up a world of possibilities. Whether you prefer a simple, affordable machine that produces espresso at the touch of a button or a more complex one that offers customizable settings, there's something for you. And it's not just about functionality- the machine's appearance also matters, so retro and modern-looking machines that match your taste and style have also been included.
Many machines in this list feature a built-in grinder, ensuring your coffee is freshly ground for each brew, enhancing its flavor and aroma. Some machines also offer the option to use pods or pre-prepared coffee grounds. If you're a latte lover, some machines come with a steam wand to recreate your favorite barista-style coffee at home. Each machine has been tested at home for at least two weeks, so you can trust there has been first-hand experience on initial setup, brewing, noise level, cleaning, and maintenance.
So, save time and money by making your coffee at home with one of the best coffee makers that are available to buy. We've including some of your favorite brands including Breville, De'Longhi and Mr Coffee.
The quick list
Below, we’ve provided an overview of the important details you need to know about each product immediately so you can buy quickly if you're in a hurry. If something catches your eye, use the links to delve deeper into the analysis provided for each product further down the page.
The best espresso machine overall
If you want great-quality coffee without the fuss, this professional-looking coffee machine is easy to use, whether you’re an espresso machine pro or a novice.
The best espresso machine on a budget
The Wirsh Home Barista Plus is a slim and stylish manual espresso machine that requires practice but can make good-tasting espressos and lattes.
The best all in one espresso machine
If you want great-quality coffee without the wait, this top-performing espresso machine will predict the best settings and remember them for next time, all while guiding you step by step through the coffee-making process.
The best espresso machine for beginners
Highly customizable, this coffee machine will delight coffee connoisseurs who value the freedom to adjust their brewers’ settings to their liking. The Tchibo is also a smart coffee machine that tells users when it needs to be maintained.
The best espresso machine for easy lattes
The Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe is an easy-to-use espresso machine with positive user reviews but lacks a high-end appearance and advanced features.
The best dual boiler espresso machine
The De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro is a stylish espresso machine with quality components and helpful features.
The best espresso machines recommended in 2024
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Our team has thoroughly reviewed the products featured in our buyer's guides. We strive to provide comprehensive and unbiased rankings based on our hands-on testing and expert research. Our evaluations consider top-rated brands and essential features to assist you in making informed purchasing decisions at the best value.
The best espresso machine overall
✅ You want a machine that's easy to use: Once you go through the motions several times to get used to the manual controls, the Breville Express Impress is easy to use, even for complete novices.
✅ You want a professional-looking machine: Despite being so accessible to beginners, this is undoubtedly a professional-looking build that will look good in most kitchens.
✅ You want great-tasting coffee: Taste is the most important thing, and this is a machine that you can count on to churn out great, aromatic coffee with a foamy top if you wish.
❌ You’re on a budget: While more expensive machines are available, this Breville model may be out of your price range if you’re trying to bag some big savings.
❌ You want to save beans: Before the machine’s auto-dosing system starts to kick in and you find the best grind size for your morning coffee, you’ll find that a lot of coffee beans are wasted.
❌ You need to be quiet in the mornings: The steam wand on the Breville Express Impress emits 88dB of sound, equivalent to a motorcycle engine or a lawnmower running.
🔎 The Breville Express Impress is a professional-looking espresso machine suitable for novices and pros alike, and it can also take care of the dosing, tamping, and temperature controls for you. ★★★★★
The Breville Express Impress is a great match for novices and pros when getting barista-style coffee at home. Despite looking so professional, the machine doesn't require you to be a pro to create a top-quality latte, macchiato, americano, or espresso; it can take care of the dosing, tamping, and temperature control so that you don’t have to.
Design: Using beans or grounds, this coffee machine is your ticket to a great-tasting coffee at home, and it only takes 40 to 50 seconds to brew. It ticks many boxes for coffee fiends: a milk frother can create a foamy top layer and programmable settings for customization.
The machine also looks professional. It is made of stainless steel with LED-lit buttons, a 250g bean hopper, a steel milk jug, a steam wand, and many cleaning tools. At 14.3 lbs, it’s quite heavy, but this only adds to its expensive feel. The design concept is also intuitive, moving from left to right, from grinding to tamping, brewing, and frothing.
Performance: The machine may take a few tries for novices to master. The hardest part is finding the best grind size; if it’s too coarse, you’ll get a weak coffee, and if it’s too fine, it will taste bitter. This process can use up a lot of beans, but once you get it right, the auto-dose system will remember and produce quality coffee in just 40 to 50 seconds.
To its disadvantage, the machine's steam wand is high-pitched and as loud as a motorcycle or lawn mower running (88dB), although the normal coffee-making process is far quieter. Changing between a one or two-cup filter basket also requires some strength.
Value: Available for $890, the Breville Express Impress just about falls within the luxury espresso machine crowd. Still, it’s not quite as expensive as other coffee machines, such as the Breville Barista Touch Impress or the Seattle Coffee Gear Diletta Bello+ Espresso Machine. It’s easily available from Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.
Read more: Breville Express Impress review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A professional-looking design which feels intuitive. | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Bean wastage at first, but works well with some experimenting. | ★★★★★ |
| Value | Easily available and less expensive than other competitors. | ★★★★★ |
The best espresso machine on a budget
✅ You're on a budget: The Wirsh Home Barista Plus is an entry-level espresso machine priced at $299.99.
✅ You need something compact: Its slim design doesn't take up much space on the counter, and its plastic-free portafilter, single and double-shot filter baskets, and 2-in-1 tamper make it easy to use and clean.
✅ You like the idea of a manual machine: The machine includes a pressure gauge that helps ensure the right amount of pressure is used for each shot.
❌ You want coffee quickly: It's not as convenient as a bean-to-cup coffee maker, a single-serve model, or a drip coffee machine.
❌ You want all the bells and whistles: The Wirsh Home Barista Plus doesn't have many features, such as a built-in grinder, programmable settings, or an automatic milk frother.
❌ You like extra-hot coffee: The warming element on top doesn't get warm enough, which can be a problem if your coffee is very hot.
🔎 The Wirsh Home Barista Plus is an affordable and straightforward option for making good espresso and lattés at home. It has a learning curve and lacks some accessories, but it is worth consideration for budget-conscious buyers. It is not suitable for those who want coffee the easy way or are concerned about its generic appearance. ★★★★
The Wirsh Home Barista Plus is an affordable and straightforward espresso machine. Its slim design and manual operation require some effort and learning, but it can make good-tasting espressos and lattes with practice.
Design: The Wirsh Home Barista Plus is a sleek and stylish espresso machine that doesn't take up much space on the counter. Its slim design is due to the water reservoir at the back, which holds 42 ounces of water. The machine includes a steam wand for frothing milk, and its controls sit below a pressure gauge that helps ensure the right amount of pressure is used for each shot. The top of the unit is made of plastic and warms up to keep cups warm. The machine has a plastic-free portafilter, single and double-shot filter baskets, and a 2-in-1 tamper.
Performance: The Wirsh Home Barista Plus is a manual espresso machine that requires effort and a learning curve. It's unlike a bean-to-cup coffee maker, a single-serve model, or a drip coffee machine. However, with some practice, it's easy to make good-tasting espressos and lattes. The manual will guide you using the pressure gauge to put the right amount of coffee grounds into the portafilter and place the steam wand in your milk to froth it properly.
Cleaning is also easy but needs to be done after every use. The only issue is the warming element on top, which doesn't get warm enough. The machine takes half a minute to heat up, and pulling an espresso shot is not loud. The most important factor is the quality of the beans used.
Value: The Wirsh Home Barista Plus is an entry-level espresso machine priced at $299.99. However, it is often discounted and available for $159.99 on Wirsh's website. The Galanz Retro Pump Espresso Coffee Machine is a budget alternative at $149.99. For more automation, the Breville Barista Express Impress is recommended with a built-in burr grinder.
Read more: Wirsh Home Barista Plus review
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Design | It’s slim and easy to use, though I wish a frothing pitcher was included. | ★★★★ |
| Performance | The cup warming function is underwhelming, but otherwise this espresso machine performs as expected. | ★★★★ |
| Value | The price is right here for an affordable espresso machine. | ★★★★ |
The best all in one espresso machine
✅ You use non-dairy milk: It adds froth even when using non-dairy milk such as oat or soy milk.
✅ You want help making coffee: The machine’s guided touch-screen menu will steer you through the coffee-making process.
✅ You’re a habitual coffee drinker: This machine can cleverly remember your previous settings.
❌ You’re on a budget: It may be slightly too expensive for those on a budget.
❌ You hate fingerprint marks: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is made from stainless steel, which is unfortunately prone to fingerprint marks and other stains.
❌ You only drink plain espressos: If you're a faithful espresso drinker, you may quickly find that the variety of settings offered by this machine is overkill.
🔎 The Breville Barista Touch Impress makes a mean cup of coffee every single time, and as if that isn't enough, it can also remember your previous settings, predict the best grind size, and optimize froth settings for a variety of dairy or non-dairy milk ★★★★★
The Breville Barista Touch Impress is a seriously impressive machine that'll last a long time and upgrade your daily routine with quick, rich coffee. Better yet, for vegans or those with allergies, it can handle non-dairy milk types upon demand by re-calibrating its pressure, temperature, and timings.
Design: This espresso machine is made from stainless steel, making it sturdy and attractive. The touch screen is easy to use and guides you through drink options and settings while providing barista-grade advice for grind size, milk, temperature, and froth level.
The machine can even choose the best grind size based on your beans, though you can also customize settings. It remembers your settings for next time, speeding up your coffee-making routine. The water tank capacity of 67 oz is impressive, considering how compact the machine is. Cleaning tools and dishwasher-safe parts also make cleanup a breeze.
Performance: Once the beans are ground, the user can easily tamp the coffee into the puck. The machine heats up in just 3 seconds before extraction. During testing, the machine consistently produced strong, creamy, and frothy oat milk coffee.
Value: This coffee machine is available for $1,499.95 from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, and it will set you back a bit. However, it rings true that you get what you pay for. Few compact coffee machines can deliver barista-style coffee consistently and quickly or deal with non-dairy milk efficiently.
Read more: Breville Barista Touch Impress review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Compact stainless steel machine with excellent settings. | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Reliably produces great-tasting coffee within a few seconds. | ★★★★★ |
| Value | An expensive option but worth the cost for coffee lovers. | ★★★★ |
The best espresso machine for beginners
✅ You want to try different coffee bean varieties: Since The Tchibo Machine grinds coffee beans and brews them in one go, users have endless possibilities when trying different coffee beans.
✅ You don't want to generate waste: The Tchibo Machine’s bean-to-brew technology eliminates the need for coffee pods, making it a more sustainable option.
✅ You're looking for an easy-to-use machine: The Tchibo Machine’s settings can be adjusted so users can find the best setting for their favorite cup of coffee.
❌ You're looking for a brewer that can steam or froth milk: The Tchibo Machine doesn’t incorporate milk frothing or steaming capabilities into its design.
❌ You don't want to deal with coffee grounds: As the Tchibo Machine uses fresh coffee beans with its built-in grinder, you'll have to empty the used coffee grounds, which can be messy.
❌ You want to use pods too: This machine uses coffee beans only; if you want one that can use coffee beans and pods, consider a different machine.
🔎 The Tchibo Machine is an excellent espresso maker with its ability to brew fresh, delicious coffee and adjustable grind to make coffee stronger or more aromatic. Its only drawback is the lack of milk frother ★★★★★
The Tchibo Machine seriously impressed us, and we didn't hesitate to give it five stars due to its impressive performance and adjustable elements.
Design: Impressively, The Tchibo Machine fits seamlessly on most kitchen countertops, occupying minimal space due to its streamlined dimensions of 12.4 x 7 x 15.6in (h x w x l) and a weight of 18.1 lbs. The design of this coffee maker exudes elegance, featuring a harmonious blend of matte and shiny surfaces in a simple black and silver colorway.
Another slick design feature is that the buttons (except for the power button discreetly placed on the side of the brewer) are invisible when the machine is turned off, contributing to its sleek and modern aesthetic - and they illuminate blue when turned on.
Performance: The Tchibo makes three different types of coffee: espresso (2 oz.), regular coffee (6 oz.), and large coffee (8 oz.), allowing for versatility, an asset to any household with members that have different coffee preferences. The coffee spout is also adjustable to accommodate different cup sizes, and you can change the pre-sets for the water quantity to suit.
The Tchibo Machine is also easy to clean and alerts you when it needs to be descaled, plus other alerts for things like re-filling the water tank, adding more coffee beans, or emptying the coffee ground container.
Value: The Tchibo is available on the manufacturer's website for $399.00, discounted from its usual price of $531.98. It is also available on Amazon for $399.00. This is a great price for a high-quality coffee maker, especially considering that some espresso machines cost up to $1,499.95.
Read more: The Tchibo Machine review
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Fits seamlessly on countertops, occupying minimal space and featuring a harmonious blend of matte and shiny surfaces. | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Makes espresso and two different coffee sizes from bean to brew with one click of a button. | ★★★★★ |
| Value | Price is in line with similar brewers on the market and its high quality makes the price worth it too. | ★★★★★ |
The best espresso machine for lattes
✅ You want something easy to use: The control panel is straightforward, and the machine heats up quickly, making it perfect for beginners who want to experiment.
✅ You're a coffee lover: Users have given positive reviews for its ability to make great drinks.
✅ You hate cleaning: The machine is easy to clean, and the milk container has a lid for easy storage.
❌ You want something more stylish: The gray plastic exterior doesn't give off a luxurious vibe like some of its more expensive counterparts.
❌ You're keen on features: The machine lacks some features that more expensive models have, such as a built-in bean grinder.
🔎 The Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe is a great choice for those who want to make lattes and cappuccinos at home without much hassle. It's beginner-friendly and more affordable than other similar machines. However, it may not suit those who want more control over their espresso and care about the machine's appearance ★★★★½
The Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe Espresso Machine is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to make delicious lattes and cappuccinos at home without any hassle. Its ease of use sets it apart from other machines on the market. The control panel is straightforward, and the machine heats up quickly, making it perfect for beginners experimenting with espresso-based drinks.
Design: The Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe is a decent semi-automatic espresso machine, but don't expect it to look very high-end. The gray plastic exterior doesn't give off a luxurious vibe like some of its more expensive counterparts.
The control panel has two rows of buttons, one for automatic drinks and the other for manual espresso shots or milk frothing, with indicator lights at the bottom showing progress as it heats up. The components feel durable, except for the knob on the milk frother, which can come loose during use.
Performance: At first, the Prima Latte Luxe coffee machine didn't work for us—there was no espresso or frothed milk. But after a few tries, it finally worked. They thought it just needed to be primed, but the instructions didn't mention it. Once it worked, it was great!
They found ESE pods that made it even easier to use. The machine heated up quickly, and the control panel was easy to use. A single-serving latte or cappuccino fits well in an 8-ounce mug and takes less than a minute to make. Self-cleaning is a breeze, and the milk container has a lid for easy storage.
Value: The Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe is perfect for beginners who want to make espresso drinks at home. But if you're a picky coffee lover, go for the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro. It's pricey but has a built-in bean grinder and more settings. If you prefer pods, try the Nespresso Vertuo Creatista, which can brew coffee and espresso and has a cool stainless steel design. It's also expensive, though.
Read more: Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe review
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Useful features, but looks somewhat cheap | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Easy to operate and clean | ★★★★½ |
| Value | Well-priced but only available on Amazon | ★★★★½ |
The best dual boiler espresso machine
✅ You want something that will last: The machine is built with quality components that make it look like a luxury product.
✅ You're a beginner: The De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro is very user-friendly, with a variety of buttons on the control panel that make brewing a variety of drinks simple.
✅ You want a stylish-looking appliance: The De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro has a sleek and stylish design.
❌ You hate maintenance: While the machine is easy to clean, some users have noted that maintenance can be a bit of a pain.
❌ You're on a budget: The De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro is quite expensive at $1,250.
🔎 The De’Longhi La Specialista Maestro Espresso Machine is a high-end coffee maker that looks and works like a pro. It has a built-in beans container and grinder, a tamping station, and five temperature controls. You can make various drinks, and the latte crema system can adjust foam. It's pretty cool, but it's expensive and needs cleaning ★★★★½
With its sleek and stylish design, quality components, and user-friendly features, the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro is the perfect choice for any coffee lover who wants to experience the taste and aroma of freshly brewed espresso at home. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced barista, the La Specialista Maestro has the potential to impress with its performance, versatility, and ease of use.
Design: We tested the De’Longhi La Specialista Maestro Espresso for four months and called it the most beautiful espresso maker they'd ever owned. It's sleek and stylish, and the quality components make it look like a luxury product. The removable power cord and water tank make it easy to move around and clean.
The beans container has a lid to keep the coffee beans fresh, and the burr grinder has an adjustable grind dose dial. Plus, it's super easy to clean with dishwasher-safe parts. It's pretty big and heavy, so it's not something you'd want to move around a lot, but it's worth the investment.
Performance: Before using it, we had to wash all the parts and run a brew cycle to clean it. Setting up the machine was easy, but figuring out the grind settings took some time. The Dose Level gauge confused them at first, but they eventually got the hang of it, and brewing was simple, with various buttons on the control panel.
They tried different drinks using the manual frothing and the LatteCrema System, including an Espresso and a Cappuccino. The machine also alerts you when you're doing something wrong or forgetting a step, which is helpful.
Value: The De’Longhi La Specialista Maestro sells for $1,250 at Amazon and is also available at De'Longhi or Williams Sonoma. As alternatives, the Seattle Coffee Gear Diletta Bello+ is cool but pricey at $1,899, and the Breville Barista Touch is similar to De'Longhi but has a manual milk frother.
Read more: De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro review
How I test the best espresso machines
We take testing espresso machines very seriously here at Top Ten Reviews. We're big fans of a double espresso or americano, so I make it a personal mission to make the perfect cup of joe with each machine I get our hands on.
The espresso makers are tested in our reviewers' own homes for a minimum of two weeks. The machines are intensely used for this duration, making a variety of coffee types that I would be more than happy to sample. If it has a grinder, we'll use it; the same goes for milk frothers or steam wands. We'll try the variety of programs on offer (if any) and record the noise level to see if they're suitable for those super-early starters who want to enjoy a coffee without waking the kids.
Cleaning and maintaining the espresso machines is an important consideration, too. Once we've done making the coffee, we'll find out how easy it is to wipe clean and keep clean. If we have a machine on loan for several weeks, we'll also try a descaling solution (there are loads on Amazon) to see how easy that is, too.
Read more about how we test coffee makers and other appliances.
How to choose the best espresso machine for you
Decide what your budget is. Espresso machines can vary in price from anywhere between $100 to $1000 and more, so the easiest way to narrow down your search would be to decide what you are prepared to spend. Holiday shopping events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day could be golden opportunities to save big on a new (or replacement) espresso maker, but if you can't wait until then, it would be better to stick to what you know you can afford.
Available space. Generally, the more features an espresso maker has, the larger it is going to be. This type of appliance is to sit on the countertop. If you don't have that much space, then a machine that has fewer options (built-in grinder, milk frother, etc) might be your best option. Alternatively, if space isn't a concern, then it'll be the budget which is the biggest restriction.
Design. The overall look and feel of an espresso machine is going to be an important factor to consider if you'd like it to match the other appliances in your kitchen or if you want more control over how you make your coffee. The Seattle Coffee Gear Diletta Bello+ Espresso Machine, for example, has a lot going for it with its steam wand and hot water wand, plus the various knobs and dials to turn. It does, however, take up a lot of space. The features that come with the machine also play into the design. Removable parts such as a water tank, grinder, and/or drip tray could all be useful to your coffee-making abilities.
Smart features. Appliances are becoming more connected with our phones and other screen technology. Some espresso machines, such as the JURA GIGA 10, have the ability to prepare coffee directly from your smartphone via a dedicated app.
Beans and grounds. Espresso coffee machines tend to only use coffee beans or coffee grounds - very occasionally, they'll use coffee pods, too. Some of the machines have the grinder built-in, whereas others have a separate grinder as an optional extra. If a grinder isn't required, and you're happy to buy ground beans, then this could make making a coffee a little simpler - if that's what you want.
They are more advanced in technical ability than many single-serve machines, especially pod machines, so if you've decided that an espresso machine isn't for you after all, then check out our best single-serve coffee maker guide.
Espresso machine FAQs
Which espresso machine brand is best?
Breville has one of the best reputations for producing espresso machines that balance quality with affordability. It’s not by chance that Breville espresso machines have landed two out of the five top spots in our round-up after vigorous testing.
However, that doesn’t mean that you should rule out other espresso machine brands. Smeg Appliances also has a strong reputation in the kitchen scene, and their coffee machines have a retro feel that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Brands like Breville, Smeg, and Seattle Coffee Gear come at a high price, so if you’re on a budget, you may also want to explore budget-friendly options from other well-praised brands like Cuisinart.
How much should you pay for a good espresso machine?
For a quality espresso machine, you can expect to pay anywhere between $800 and $1,500. At the top of that range, you can expect a premium model to provide more programmable features, a steam wand to create froth, and far more room for experimentation.
Meanwhile, a good espresso machine at the bottom of the range may offer one or two programmable settings and consistently produce rich, aromatic coffee with minimal human intervention. Many machines can now remember your previous settings or predict the best grind size for you.
Espresso machines can cost as little as $200 to $300, but for these, you often have to sacrifice features such as a steam wand or compromise on the taste of your coffee.
Which espresso machines are easiest to clean?
Cleaning an espresso machine is quite easy, as all you need to do is run water through the brewer to remove any used grounds and remove coffee grounds from the portafilter before wiping down the machine, including any tampers or a steam wand.
The easiest espresso machines to clean are those that provide cleaning tools such as a cleaning disc or tablets, descaling powder, a cleaning brush, and a special steam wand cleaning tool.
Capsule pod espresso machines are also superior for cleaning because all they need is the occasional flush with water, rather than you having to regularly clean out or unclog a filter and/or portafilter - so that's worth keeping in mind if you don't enjoy cleaning.
Stainless steel machines require the most upkeep for the exterior, as they easily gather fingerprints and muck. If this is a pet peeve, you will need to wipe away stains and prints after every use.
